Wagner & Cathcart – It’s Getting Smoky
Oh my. This Wagner-Cathcart scandal may have some legs. The News Journal is reporting today that Wagner helped Cathcart get his new job as Delaware City manager by telling a Delaware City councilman that Cathcart was in the clear. This is the same report that Wagner has been accused of suppressing.
While investigating an office run by fellow Republican Richard C. Cathcart, state Auditor R. Thomas Wagner helped Cathcart secure a job as town manager of Delaware City.
At Cathcart’s request, Wagner contacted a wavering councilman looking for reassurance that the unfinished audit would find no wrong-doing by Cathcart.
…
Yet, Wagner contacted Delaware City Councilman Paul Johnson on June 8, moments before council was to vote on whether to hire Cathcart for the manager job that pays $80,000 per year.
The call left Johnson with the impression that Cathcart was in the clear, despite the investigation being incomplete. Johnson reported Wagner’s remarks to the full council before it voted unanimously to hire Cathcart.
So far, Wagner’s defense had a whiff of credibility. It is plausible that something in the report was not done to standards. However this latest story does give some more weight to the accusation that Wagner was covering for his friend.
Tags: Dick Cathcart, Tom Wagner
Sad (and disgraceful) end to an otherwise solid career of public service.
End to whose career? Wagner’s? Cathcart’s?
And pray tell, which one of these creatures of the Delaware Way has had an ‘otherwise solid career of public service’?
You fail to understand Avocado’s position here, El Som — advanced Delaware Way-fu on behalf of Republicans counts as “otherwise solid career of public service”.
On the other hand, you’ll find him denouncing much the same behavior from Democrats as corruption.
He’s right about the D’s, wrong about the R’s.
The Delaware Way has never been more publicly exposed, which is all to the good. Minner/Tigani, Cathcart/Wagner, and DeLuca. All major scandals with one thing in common. No public official has yet been held accountable for their unethical and/or illegal behavior.
The question is: What happens next? Wagner has now made clear that he cannot be trusted to pass judgment on Cathcart. He’s running interference for him. Cathcart could well be doing the same for Wagner. Beau? Beau? Anybody?
i know you dont really think beau is going to make waves? no way is he going to go after people “in the club.”
I was refering to Wagner’s career as Auditor, which will be ended by his covering for a friend (as it should).
Wagner was in his last term anyway. When that Korn guy almost beat him, he knew that this was it.
Looks like he’s gonna spend his last term by making a mockery out of what the State Auditor should do. Cover-ups and rewards for his political allies taking precedence over what his statutory responsibilities are.
He should do the honorable thing and resign. He won’t. He is not ‘honorable’, and deserves neither the title nor the office.
So Wagner fitted Cathcart with the golden parachute. But who will outfit Wagner?
Wagner can become assistant city manager.
BTW, the NJ thinks this is a big story. It was their top-of-front-page leading story today.
Every time I read something like this happening I feel Like Claude Rains in Casablanca” I am Shocked, Shocked” that corruption is taking place here in Delaware
This NJ Editorial talks tough, but all anybody has to do to survive a Delaware Way dust up is not quit.
To put it in perspective, think how many times in the past Wagner has responded to inquiries by saying “I cannot comment on an ongoing audit.”
Wagner’s problem isn’t just that he made a phone call for a friend, it’s that he also blocked or slowed down the report on Cathcart’s conduct. It’s really looking like a smoke/fire situation.
BTW – The style book says that the full name and title should be used:
“Disgraced Delaware Auditor Tom Wagner”
But who will outfit Wagner?
Some pol will be willing to hire the guy, claiming that he has some skills to do this thing that no one can do that they need to pay him lots of money per month to do. He’ll do fine — the Delaware Way takes care of its own, that’s for sure.
Makes you wonder what it would have been like if only the state Democratic party had only gotten behind Korn.
Wagner is spending his last days making deals and making tons of money, dont kid yourself about this guy! There is information out there about him that would make your hair stand up. Corruption in the corporate state is both demorat and repuke. There all a bunch of good ole boys..covering for each other.
The democratic party didnt get behind Richard Korn, because Wagner has been protecting both parties since he took office.
Delaware city manager = $80,000 a year
Camden Town manager makes more than this and also is a friend of our great Tom Wagner. The town of Camden needs to be looked at really well too as things have gone on for years that are not right and still continue to go on. Who can you get to look into small town government when you can’t trust anyone in Delaware politics?
Sorry, but I didnt see any other serious baggage free candidate come forward to run for State Auditor. Korn was the guy, the Dem Party dragged their feet on him and it wasn’t the reasons you are implying.
I am not Korns biggest fan, but I can guarantee he would have been better than Wagner if for no other reason than what we are witnessing right now. Korn is a pit bull with a history of being very litigeous and a fighter, unlike Wagner, a go along to get along kinda guy who has been there for 20 YEARS.
And if Korn fails at his job, primary him next time. Thats what we are doing with the insurance commisioner.